"Meet Me in the Middle"

Larry Sabato's Bad Advice to Bob McDonnell

It's the "sucker punch" we ought to be looking for. A pundit says: "One of the underlying concerns that many thoughtful Virginians have about McDonnell are his ties to the 'Christian Right.' " -- Larry Sabato. The big implication is that if you are a 'thoughtful Virginian' you are not a member of the 'Christian Right.'

Not so fast... how many times have Conservatives been told to "move to the middle" by 'Moderates' and yet the evidence suggests this is no formula for success. John McCain should have been Colin Powell's ideal candidate but look at Powell's party loyalty in the last election.

It is a bit like making peace with Hamas. Give them everything they want and at the end of the day they just want your head on a platter. They do not like you, they do not love you. They are ideaologically committed to your defeat. May I humbly suggest a better way.

If you look at the American people, the number of those who identify themselves as 'Pro Life' are over 50%. The Tea Party Movement is strong, despite claims by the slipstream media that they are insignificant. Clearly there is a large segment of the population that feels disenfranchised in the current political landscape. Their values are not those of the Hollywood left, though they dread the prospect of an intrusive 'theocracy' that has largely been inflated by the left.

Moving to the midsdle is a strategy, moreover, that works for liberals. Their extreme environmental policies and government intrusion are not what America wants. They know it so they are experts at veering center for elections. They state that they believe marriage to be between a man and woman but write legislation to create favored status for some sexual practices. They tell the gay lobbies to be patient during the general election and then reward them by executive order in private.

This actually creates a situation where the bulk of the American population is not very well represented. Still, they are being told that the 'far right' is worse than the 'far left' in the great scheme of things. Here is where our opportunity lies. We have to dismiss this whole notion that 'the era of Reagan is over' and learn to communicate again.

I have only conversed with Bob McDonnell once briefly but I believe he has great ablility when it comes to articulating the values most Virginians hold dear. These values are more to the right than Mr. Sabato wants McDonnell to set his course, but I believe that the path to victory lies in striking a clear note that resonates with the good people of Virginia and not becoming a poor imitation of Creigh Deeds. One can do so by carefully avoiding 'rightspeak' and teaching our core values with a clear voice.

As a 'thoughtful Virginian' who cherishes the values of faith and virtue, I can wish for no less.